Shaving Secret: Heat & Humidity

The ageless proverb: "If you fail to prepare, you must prepare to fail." It holds true in many aspects of life, and shaving is no exception. Proper preparation before shaving can be the difference between a smooth chin and a painful morning.

We're only talking about some simple steps you can take to ensure a smooth and painless shave. If you have a shower before you shave, you're likely already on top of this without even realising, but it's important to be aware of what's going on.

The humble shower - a place of contemplation, relaxation, and most importantly, preparation for a good shave. You see, showering isn't just to wash away the dirt and grime of living, it actually provides a crucial role in the art of shaving.

The warm water softens hair, making it easier to be cut, it also exfoliates dead skin reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs and friction. It's like a secret weapon in the fight against prickly whiskers and post-shave irritation. Hydrated and warm skin is much smoother and more flexible making the process of shaving as smooth as silk and reducing the risk of nicks, cuts and soreness.

And for those who are just too busy to shower (we don't judge here) - you can still get your steam on without even setting foot in the shower, just open up the hot water tap. Soon enough, your bathroom will be steamier than a sauna. Alternatively if you're feeling really fancy, you could borrow a tip from professional barbers.

Soak a hand towel in water, wring it out so it’s no longer dripping and place it in the microwave on full power for around a minute. It should be steaming hot at this point. When it’s comfortable to lay on your skin but still hot, fold it in such a way that it covers your face and neck (see the image above). Be sure to open it up to allow excess heat to escape if you need to. Lean back and place it on your face and neck for a minute or two.

Before we wrap things up it should also be mentioned that there's a trick that could shave some serious time off your morning routine. If you're running so late that you're practically sprinting out the door you could reach for some shaving oil. Simply spread a few drops onto your stubble and let it work its magic for a few minutes before preparing for your shave. It's like a mini spa treatment in a bottle, without the hefty price tag.

And the best part about shaving oil? If you really master your razor technique and your facial hair is on the finer side, you might not even need anything else. It's like a two-in-one deal - a lubricant and a moisturizer. So, if you're in a bind and need to get smooth in a hurry, or just suffering from the usual post shave irritation, you could reach for the shaving oil. Your face, and your boss, who's probably wondering where you are, will thank you.